Why more Catholic choirs are embracing dramatised liturgy
Apr 17, 2024
When something is acted, it is understood better. Dramatising liturgy is also a tool of inculturation, that is, the Africanisation of the Christian faith that has always been promoted by the White Fathers.
Nyenga seminarians in a dramatised procession of the Holy Book. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
Mathias Mazinga
Journalist @New Vision
__________________ The pupils from Stella Maris Primary School Nsuube dramatising the arrival of Mother Mary Kevin Kearny (the founder of the Little Sisters of St Francis) in Uganda during the grand celebration of the congregation's centenary at Nkokonjeru Convent Students of Our Lady of Good Counsel Gayaaza perfoming a litugical dance during mass at their school
Today if you attend any big Catholic ecclesial function, you will not miss seeing acted scenes during divine worship. The commonly acted part of the liturgy is the procession of the Word of God (or the Holy Book).
Choirs nonetheless differ in the way they act out the procession of the Holy Book; the modus operandi is determined by the message that the respective choir intends to convey.
Choirs which have acted out liturgy in a very captivating manner include among others the chapel choir of Trinity College Nabbingo, St Joseph’s Seminary Nyenga, and St Charles Lwanga Ggaba Catholic Parish Choir.
Through the act of the procession of the Holy Book, these three choirs projected the arrival of the Catholic missionaries, that is, the White Fathers and the Mill Hill Fathers, who pioneered Catholic evangelism in Uganda. 
Catechist Paulus Semmanda of Katende Catholic parish (in Mpigi district) is an ardent lover of dramatized liturgy which he says helps Christians to understand better their faith and its genesis.
“When something is acted, it is understood better. Dramatising liturgy is also a tool of inculturation, that is, the Africanisation of the Christian faith that has always been promoted by the White Fathers. Localising the faith helps the Christians to understand it better as they can relate it to their local situation and practices,” said Semmanda.
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